Main Entry: dis·tant

Pronunciation: \ˈdis-tənt\

Function: adjective

Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin distant-, distans, present participle of distare to stand apart, be distant, from dis- + stare to stand — more at stand

Date: 14th century

1 a : separated in space : away <a mile distant> b : situated at a great distance : far-off <a distant galaxy> c : separated by a great distance from each other : far apart d : far behind <finished a distant third>
2 : separated in a relationship other than spatial <a distant cousin> <the distant past>
3 : different in kind <from two very distant backgrounds>
4 : reserved or aloof in personal relationship : cold <was distant and distracted>
5 a : going a long distance <distant voyages> b : concerned with remote things <distant thoughts>

— dis·tant·ly adverb

— dis·tant·ness noun